Mandala Airlines flight to Padang

The view of Sianok Grand Canyon from my window at Grand Rocky Hotel in Bukittinggi

Girls on their way to school in Harau Valley

What a serene place to live in Harau Valley

In the rainy season there are so many beautiful waterfalls in Harau Valley

Harau Valley rice fields

Pencak Silat demonstration by students in Sanjai Village

Treated to a horse and carriage ride through Sanjai Village

Jumping through flaming hoops in Sanjai Village

Local women deliver our lunch to be eaten in the middle of the rice fields.. it was amazing..

Traditional Padang food – I am still to master the Indonesian art of eating with your hands

Our dessert… so tasty and refreshing

Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago and is a place of rich and diverse culture and natural beauty, much of which is off the main tourist trail and therefore has managed to retain its original charm. The local people are always quick to offer a friendly smile and show you warm and welcoming hospitality, which is a major appeal when travelling throughout the country.

In December 2012, Mandala airlines opened up a new sector with direct flights from Jakarta to Padang, the capital city of West Sumatra, making the area more accessible and providing opportunities for both local and international lovers of nature to reach and explore the majestic scenery in just over an hour and a half. I was honoured to travel on the first flight from Jakarta to Padang with a group of journalists from Indonesia and Singapore and it was a whirlwind tour and lots of fun.

All I had ever heard about Padang in the past was ‘Masakan Padang’ which is the traditional food of the area and seemingly one of the favourite dishes of everyone in Jakarta.. People in Jakarta love to talk about their food, so it was great to find they have loads of tasty vegetarian dishes available and everything tasted so fresh with no added MSG everything tasted extra delicious.

One of the first and most striking features I noticed upon arrival was the distinct Minang architecture which can be seen scattered throughout West Sumatra, where the elegantly styled and decorated roofs soar high up to the sky at both ends, looking enchanting against their mountainous backdrops. This styling resembles the look of buffalo horns and symbolises the Minangkabau culture and according to Indonesian folklore, it originated from a legend of a fight between two buffaloes in a war between the Minangkabau and an invading Javanese clan.

Due to its tropical rainforest climate and average temperature of 26 degrees celcius, it is one of Indonesia’s wettest cities with frequent rainfall throughout most of the year, which has resulted in vibrant green vegetation, lakes and rivers in plentiful water supply. During the heavier rainy season starting around November, Harau Valley is not to be missed as the water cascades over the sheer and magnificent rock faces transforming them into breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls. The area is absolutely stunning with rice fields and lush tropical foliage and a perfect location for those who love the outdoors and enjoy hiking and rock climbing, or just soaking up the tranquility provided by Mother Nature. Anai Valley Waterfall is also worth visiting as the spray from the waterfall brings welcome relief from the hot sun and is easily accessible from Padang city.

Nature lovers will also enjoy Singkarak Lake – the biggest lake in West Sumatra – spanning 1,000 hectares. It is set in a dramatic volcanic landscape with breathtaking vistas, where you can enjoy the sunset over the cloud capped mountains with a cup of local coffee and fresh seafood snacks, surrounded by the natural beauty that Indonesia is famous for.

Bukittinggi is one of the largest cities in West Sumatra and is set in the Minangkabau highlands close to the volcanoes of Mount Singgalang and the active Mount Merapi. At 930 metres above sea level, it is popular with visitors for its cool climate and is a perfect city to explore on foot. A great place to stay is at the Grand Rocky Hotel which was newly completed in early 2012 and has breathtaking views out to the Sianok Grand Canyon – also walking distance to ‘Jam Gadang’ – the giant Clock Tower built by the Dutch in 1926 and Pasar Atas and Pasar Bawah, the traditional downtown markets in the centre of Bukittinggi.

If it’s culture you are searching for, you can enjoy a candlelight barbecue dinner under the stars with music and performances of the martial art of Pencak Silat and the beautiful Tari Piring plate dancers where the women wear lit candles in their headwear before smashing their plates and dancing on the broken pieces. You may also like to take a walking visit through the quaint kampungs and rice fields of Sanjai Village where you can also visit the cassava factory and sample fresh and delicious cassava chips to keep up your energy for more exploring.

For a lesson in history you can visit the Lobang Jepang (Japanese Caves) which is a network of underground tunnels and bunkers which were built by the Japanese during World War II. Also on the scenic drive from Bukittinggi to Padang, stop at the ‘Mbah Soero’ Mining Tunnel in Sawahlunto where you can learn about the tunnels dug out by the ‘chain people’ and miners from 1898 to the late 1920′s. There is a small gallery showing the original chains worn by the workers around their legs and arms and also photos of the Sawahlunto mines. Close by is the Museum Goedang Ransoem which was a General Kitchen built by the Dutch Colonial Government in 1918 to supply food for coal mine workers and hospital patients. There are photo walls and descriptions of the history of the kitchen and outside you can watch the women as they patiently weave traditional cloth.

With a full and satisfied stomach and after the fresh air and idyllic scenery you will feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle the chaos of Jakarta once again. I am sure the impression of West Sumatra will have you wanting to return again and again to be reminded of the simple lifestyle and beauty which is now so easily reached thanks to the lovely staff at Mandala Airlines.

Comments

Your blog is amazing!! I love your photos and stories. They really capture Indonesia, or at least what I remember of it as a child with my parents. You have lots of photos and posts about Indonesia, and it appears you know a bit of Bahasa Indonesia, do you live there? I’m getting a severe case of wanderlust after I read your entire blog, and I would like to plan a trip to OZ and Indonesia from the US as a result.

Oh Adrian! Thank you so much for reading through my blog and for your lovely message, I really do appreciate it! Yes, I am currently living in Indonesia, in Jakarta. I came here to visit my sister for a short holiday in October 2009, and instantly fell in love with the chaos and the beautiful friendly faces and life on the streets here. I have tried to return to Australia a few times, but Indonesia is under my skin and I miss it every time that I leave that I always end up back here again… It’s always good to go and return to my roots, but it’s always even better to return here again!

I am so happy you have been inspired to travel back to your homeland and definately go to Aust too! Where are you in the US now? I am sure you have millions of exciting adventure stories to tell from there also.

That’s great that you’ve found yourself a spot in Jakarta, you must love to be right in the thick of it! Both my parents are from there, and Ive been twice, a very(embarrassingly) long time ago. I’ve traveled to a few spots in SE Asia, (you hit 2 places Ive been to in your earlier posts). Youre absolutely right, visiting roots is a good thing… I suppose one can have 2 roots right? For me personally NYC/CT, and collectively as a family, Indonesia which I am overdue. I currently live in Seattle, Washington right now, and the weather is a mix of brisk sun and dreariness.

Anyways, I found your blog through a search of Jakarta blogs, and found this one through your Welovejakarta one, (which I am a fan of as well!) Personally I love rustic serenity full of life and chlorophyll, so I am drawn to this one.. I only wish I can be best friends with my camera, but it hates me and never takes any good pictures for me.

hahahhaaha! I’m sure your camera takes beautiful photos.. there is no such thing as a bad photo if it blesses you with wonderful memories! Capturing whatever you find interesting or inspiring is the most important thing for yourself.

I hope that life is wonderful over in Seattle for you. My partner lived in Washington working at VOA for a year and although he loved it, he loves being back in Indonesia more!

We just arrived in Melbourne where we will be based for the next three months.. Once we adjust to the winter cold we will head out with our cameras and see what we can find here..

Thanks so much for reading both my blogs, I really do appreciate it and hope you enjoy!

Stay tuned for more of Indonesia later in the year when we return..

Hati hati

ABOUT ME

My name is Tasha May and I am a Producer, freelance Graphic Designer, Blogger, and mum to a gorgeous baby boy. After a quick visit to Jakarta in 2009, Indonesia got under my skin and I have been blessed to have lived here ever since. This blog is a keepsake of memories of my journeys outside of the chaotic Indonesian capital.